Match Preview: Arsenal Vs Fulham
Arsene Wenger is confident his wealth of options in midfield will keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Fulham are one of 11 teams embroiled in a battle to avoid
relegation and could slide into the bottom three if they lose at the Emirates and results elsewhere go against them.
Arsene Wenger is confident his wealth of options in midfield will keep Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners hold a one point lead over second placed
Manchester City as they prepare to host Fulham at the Emirates Stadium on
Saturday.
Free-scoring City boast by far the most impressive goal
difference in the Premier League and are seen in many quarters as the most
likely champions.
But Arsenal have continued to record victories despite
long-term injuries to forwards Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain at various points of the season. And that, the boss believes, is largely down to
the quality and variety of his midfield options.
"In midfield we have plenty of quality players who you
can rotate easily without really feeling 'today we are weaker'," he said.
"We have fantastic players in midfield and it always
allows us to keep what we call the 'engine' of the team fresh.
"It is a real team effort. Maybe because every player
in his position has a strong personality as well."
Aaron Ramsey is a strong contender for the player of the
season accolades as the Wales captain has contributed 13 goals so far.
German playmaker Mesut Ozil has been less consistent but
Wenger is nonetheless impressed with his efforts so far.
"He is a first of all a team player," Wenger said.
"And also a football servant with the fact that he always does what the
game wants and he has a big respect for the game. That's the brand of a real
top-level player."
Walcott won't play again this season because of a knee
injury but midfielder Tomas Rosicky could feature against Fulham wearing a mask
to protect a broken nose suffered in Monday's 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
Left-back Nacho Monreal is a doubt after twisting a ligament
in his foot and Thomas Vermaelen (knee), Mikel Arteta (calf), Ramsey (thigh)
and Nicklas Bendtner (ankle) are all out injured.
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